What is IPTV

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a system where a digital television service is delivered by using Internet Protocol over a network infrastructure, which may include delivery by a broadband connection. A general definition of IPTV is television content that, instead of being delivered through traditional broadcast and cable formats, is received by the viewer through the technologies used for computer networks.

For residential users, IPTV is often provided in conjunction with Video on Demand and may be bundled with Internet services such as Web access and VoIP. The commercial bundling of IPTV, VoIP and Internet access is referred to as "Triple play" service . IPTV is typically supplied by a service provider using a closed network infrastructure.

This closed network approach is in competition with the delivery of TV content over the public Internet, called Internet television. In this IPTV the television connects to the internet. Instead, IPTV refers to the use of the IP as a delivery

mechanism that can use the Internet, which represents a public IP-based network, or IPTV can be used to deliver video content over a private IP-based network. Because IPTV requires the use of the IP only as a delivery mechanism, IP can be used to deliver various types of content over both the Internet and private IP-based networks.
There no boundaries, limits and user able to gain high quality picture and videos.
Examples of IPTV content can range in scope from music videos to television shows, full feature movies, rock concerts, and a variety of special events, such as boxing matches, football games, or even Broadway musicals. All of these are delivered over IP network. It is not internet. IPTV uses a two-way digital broadcast signal sent through a switched telephone or cable network by way of a broadband connection and a set-top box programmed with software (much like a cable or DSS box) that can handle viewer requests to access to many available media sources. For IPTV need to high speed connection. Because through cable the data very instead. From an end user’s perspective, IPTV looks and operates just like a standard pay TV service.
From a service provider’s perspective, IPTV encompasses the acquisition, processing, and secure delivery of video content over an IP based networking infrastructure . The type of service providers involved in deploying IPTV services range from cable and satellite TV carriers to the large telephone companies and private network operators in different parts of the world.
Finally Transport cost of bit is constantly declining. Advancements in video compression, reliability of IP transport enabling digital-quality video transmission . So next generation is IPTV services and technologies.